Winona Williams braced herself for rejection, steeling her heart for the possibility of being turned away. But, as luck would have it, a familiar face from an earlier encounter came to her rescue. The way the receptionist deferred to him, she pegged him as someone with serious pull.
Once inside the elevator, the man introduced himself. “Miss Williams, I’m Wade Cole, Mr. Morales’s assistant.”
“Call me Wade, Miss Williams. The pleasure’s all mine.” Winona had heard whispers about Zayden Morales’s right-hand man. Standing in the Morales Group headquarters for the first time, a wave of nerves washed over her. What on earth had possessed her to pitch such a ballsy plan?
But she was here now. No turning back. She had to push forward, come what may.
“Miss Williams, you’re here to discuss a partnership with Mr. Morales?”
“Yes! A major project I think Mr. Morales will find fascinating.” Wade glanced at her. She was here to talk a big deal, but all she carried was a flimsy folder. Was she really prepared for this?
Inside the office—all understated luxury—Winona walked forward with determined strides. At the massive desk, she could only see a high-backed executive chair and a well-defined hand, broad and long-fingered. Such an appealing hand stirred her curiosity about the man behind it.
She sucked in a breath, her heart hammering against her ribs as she swallowed and steadied herself. “Mr. Morales, hello. I’m Winona Williams. I’m here today to discuss a major partnership with you.”
Her words hung in the air. For a beat, the office fell silent.
“A major partnership?” A deep voice resonated. Winona’s brow furrowed. That voice—she knew it from somewhere.
“Miss Williams, you represent Horizon, just a design firm. What possible major partnership could you have with the Morales Group?”
“I’m here on my own behalf, hoping to discuss a significant proposal with you…” Her sentence died as the chair slowly swiveled around, revealing the man lounging in it, studying her with keen interest. That face, those eyes—how could she ever forget?
In her heels, she wobbled, stumbling back a few steps in shock, nearly toppling over.
Winona stood frozen, utterly stunned. The man from the Royal Hotel that night—sitting in the CEO’s chair at Morales Group.
“How is it you? Aren’t you… that…”
“Miss Williams, you don’t seem quite as eloquent today as you were the other night. Disappointed? The CEO of Morales Group is indeed the man you said had terrible kissing skills—nothing but a pretty face made for rich older women—a total scoundrel.”
Even from yards away, Winona could feel the fury radiating from his gaze, like he wanted to tear her apart.
Did he really have to be this pissed?
She gulped. God, what had she said that night? This was a total disaster. No wonder his assistant had brought her straight here—to settle the score.
Under his piercing stare, chills raced down her spine. But she couldn’t chicken out now. She was here, and she had to woman up.
Forcing a smile, she put on what she hoped was her most earnest expression. “Mr. Morales, the other night was a huge misunderstanding. We both got the wrong idea. We can clear this up—easy. I had no clue you were Mr. Morales. Someone as high-profile and mysterious as you? It’s totally understandable someone like me wouldn’t recognize you. Surely, you wouldn’t hold a grudge over a tiny misunderstanding from someone like me.”
“Oh, really?” Zayden tapped his fingers lightly on the desk, then rose and began walking slowly toward her.
Winona swallowed hard, too terrified to move. In broad daylight, everything felt sharper, and her anxiety spiked. She couldn’t lose it now—even face-to-face with him, she had to play it cool.
His cold voice loomed over her. “Miss Williams, before discussing partnerships, shouldn’t you understand who you’re dealing with? I, Zayden Morales, am known for holding grudges. I always pay my debts.”
“Well, um!” She looked up with a nervous laugh. “Surely, Mr. Morales wouldn’t sweat the small stuff, especially with a woman like me. Besides, I’m here to talk business today.”
“I won’t work with Horizon.” He cut her off before she could get any further, assuming she’d come on behalf of the company.
“Mr. Morales, there’s been a misunderstanding. I’ve come to discuss something a lot more important than the company.”
Zayden scrutinized her with a slight frown. The first time, at the hotel, this woman had hurled insults, calling him a scoundrel and a gigolo. The second time, drunk in a bar, she’d boldly declared she’d marry the most powerful man. What curious stunt had she come to pull now?
“Let’s hear it,” he finally said.
“I’m here to discuss Mr. Morales’s personal affairs!” Winona declared, and Zayden’s expression darkened as he studied her in silence.
“Do you have any idea what you’re saying?” he asked.
“Mr. Morales, in business, I never joke. I’m aware of some of the rumors about you. I also know your grandmother’s worried sick about your personal life. Her health isn’t what it used to be, and I’m sure you want to honor her wishes.”
Zayden chuckled low. “A few days ago, you were a designer. Today, you’re playing matchmaker? That’s the big proposal you’re bringing me? Women are lining up to join the Morales family.”
“I know full well you could snap your fingers and have a hundred women running. But women who can give you real peace of mind and have the backbone to marry into the Morales family are hard to come by.”
“And what makes you so sure there aren’t any?”
“If there were, Mr. Morales, you’d be married by now. You wouldn’t let your grandmother’s heart ache like this.”
“You do know quite a bit.”
“Well, Mr. Morales, when you’re doing business, you’ve got to do your homework. You can rest easy about my capabilities.” Zayden stayed silent, genuinely curious about what she’d throw out next.
“Society women are drawn to your wealth, your power, your looks, your body—but they’re spooked by the rumors.”
“And?”
“So, Mr. Morales, what do you think about me? Maybe, Mr. Morales, you should consider marrying me.” It took every ounce of courage Winona had to get those words out. In front of Zayden, even if she wasn’t truly calm, she had to fake it, showing zero weakness.
Her bold declaration caught Zayden off guard. He remembered her drunken boast from the bar.
“Why should I marry you? Are you going to tell me it’s true love—love at first sight?”
“Of course not!” Winona shot his assumption down fast. “Mr. Morales, you’re undeniably the handsomest man around, but I don’t buy into love at first sight. What I want you to know is that I’m different from all the rest. I value everything about you—your power, your status, and, yeah, the person you are.”
It was the first time Zayden had ever heard a woman spin it that way. Was there really a difference between the two?
“Enough talking. Mr. Morales, once you see this, you’ll understand what I’m getting at.” She placed her prepared document in front of him, surprising him yet again.
To think a woman would treat her own personal affairs like a business deal and discuss it so openly was a total novelty to him.
